Incredible Historic Franklin TN home!

This is such a cute home in Historic Franklin TN! For under $400,000 you can own a completely renovated home in a great location! Great yard and MANY upgrades. COMPLETELY RENOVATED
Stephen Strickhausen
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110
6154805770
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com
NASHVILLE HOME SEARCH

Come see this gorgeous Historic Franklin home!

This is a gorgeous home in Historic Franklin TN! 3800 SF for under $700,000! This is one of the best deals in Historic Franklin and it is not even on the market yet!

Come see this home for yourself.
Contact the Strickhausen/Blankenship team to see this gorgeous home

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110
615-778-1818
615-480-5770
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com
HOME SEARCH

Avalon lots for sale. Franklin Tn

Avalon boasts some of the most scenic views in all of Williamson County. For only $549,900 you can own this 1 acre lot with views to die for. Situated right in the heart of Franklin TN this neighborhood is so close to everything but still completely secluded. This portion of Avalon is a gated community with only the most exclusive homes in all of Franklin. You can bring your own builder or choose from one of the current builders in the neighborhood.
For more information please contact us
Stephen Strickhausen
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110
615-778-1818
615-480-5770
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com
NASHVILLE HOME SEARCH

Want to See Nashville's Most Exclusive Homes?

Nashville has some pretty spectacular homes. Musicians, Actors, and Business men and women make up a good portion of this great town. With that comes a good portion of high end homes.

I have seen some pretty spectacular homes in the past few years. One of them was a home that was almost 30,000 SF and believe it or not it was considered a LOG CABIN!!! In addition, there are quite a few homes owned by famous musicians that are currently on the market.

If you are in the market for an exclusive home here in Nashville or you just want to see them then go to our website and click on "Home Search" and then on "Exclusive Homes". This will automatically generate a search in Middle TN for homes that are $2.5M and higher. Some of them go as high as $60,000,000!!

Check it out HERE

Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUIT 110

615-778-1818

615-480-5770

Your Nashville Lakefront Real Estate resource

Many cities across the US have lakefront properties...and a lot of residents don't really even know about it!

Here in Nashville TN for example, there are over 800 lakefront properties for sale!! Most people don't even think about being able to afford one (as a primary residence or as a second home).

The "properties" here range anywhere from $2,000 to over $9M. The reason why I put the word properties in parentheses is because that doesn't always include a house. Some of these "properties" for sale are just land and lots located on a lake.

Bottom line is that most cities have that second home or primary home located right on the water that is within budget! Just contact your local Real Estate agent and let them know your budget. He/She will be able to email you every waterfront property within that price range.

If you happen to live in Nashville just go to our website, click on "home search" and then "lakefront home search". This will show you everything available within your price range!

Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 Carothers Pky Suite 110

615-778-1818

615-480-5770

Search for Lakefront Homes HERE

Your Nashville home search! Better and easier

Most Realtors want people to be able to use their website as a one stop shop for everything Real Estate related.

One of the most useful is not necessarily the most popular. Some agents want to be able to send listings to potential clients so that "THEY" can be the resource for a Home search. Sometimes people want to just "window shop" before they decide to take the next step.

Did you know that most people go to car lots on a Sunday...when the dealership is closed. Why? BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO TALK TO A SALESMAN!! When they are ready they will come in on a Friday afternoon and sit down and talk about the details. It may take some time for them to warm up. It may take a quick email from the buyer to see if there are any specials or what they could offer that no one else can. The catch though is to HAVE that car lot...even on Sundays, so that people can browse at their convenience.

Have the resources available to people so that when the time comes, YOU will be the one they trust.

Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

615-778-1818

615-480-5770

Click here for your Nashville home search

Elephants

Before I say anything let me say this...I know money is tight these days. I know there are people that just do not have the money to spend on their home right now. These people are disqualified from my rant. Be adviced; if you are a procrastinator you may not want to read this!
Here's the deal...I am so sick of hearing one certain line from home owners. Every time I hear this line I have to use every ounce of self control to not get into an argument. The line is one that I am sure you have heard, or maybe said. "yeah, we hate so many things about our house. We just figured we'd wait to fix any of it until we can afford to do the whole thing." Let me rephrase..."Yup, there's a lot we have to get done, but we love this excuse so we're gonna keep rolling with it." I want to scream!!
I just don't get it. I had a couple that moved into a new home and did not paint for TWO YEARS because they wanted to wait until they could afford a nice, new rugs. This meant they lived in construction white walls for two years, even though they hated it. It gets better. They refused to hang pictures because they did not want to have to re-do it after painting!! What!! Does this sound stupid to anyone else? I mean lets get real here. "Hey honey...lets live in a house we paid $250,000 dollars for and hate, because its easier to make excuses than to spend $50 for paint." Get real. These people were miserable. They refused to do anything. I should confess...I got them to do it by "accidentally" getting test paint colors on their walls, when they asked to keep it on paper. oops.
Ok, here's another ridiculous example. I have a very dear friend that lives in a gorgeous home in Historic Franklin. He refuses to do any work on his bathroom until he can afford to do the whole room. Therefore, he is forced to keep all his clothes folded in the bath tub because he does not have his nice, renovated closet yet. So, he would rather fish for clothes than do the closet re-do. He says he wants to wait until he gets his new vanity and sinks so he can do it all at once. In his case, money is not the issue. Trust me.
I just don't get it. It seems that doing a little bit at a time would be the logical thing to do. I have told him that he should take one small project at a time. Do the closet. Then do the vanity in three months. After that is finished, do the new shower granite and door. This way the money is spent gradually, rather than all at once.
I respect that it is very overwhelming to do renovations. It is also very time consuming. If you are waiting until you have the $15,000 cash that you need to do a room re-do, you probably will never do it. I suggest save smaller amounts of cash $1500-$2000 and do what you can with that. Then do more after you save up that smaller amount again. This way you are making progress and paying cash. It is very unlikely you will save up for the whole thing because life happens. Cars need work, Kids need clothes, holidays roll around. Suddenly you find you are living in a house you hate because you have been saving for three years. I just don't understand living in a house that drives you crazy when you could do smaller things one at a time that would make your home feel so much better. If money is an issue, I suggest yard sales. You would be amazed what you can find at these budget friendly heavens. I, myself, bought an antique mirror for to hang over my credenza. This mirror was perfect and I know they are priced for several hundred dollars at local stores. (I've looked) I paid $15!! Many times I will get take a set amount of cash and go to several yard sales and just hunt until my cash is gone. One time I bought so much I had to borrow my friends truck to get it all home. All for $200. I transformed an entire room!! Yes, I wanted to do the entire house. But, it just wasn't in the cards then. So, I did none room at a time. After three months the whole house was done.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!!












Stephen Strickhausen
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS AVE SUITE 110

615-778-1818
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com







Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

Check out Franklin TN

Driving through the streets of Historic Franklin in Williamson County you will pass some truly incredible homes. These houses are an average of four-thousand square feet and well appointed with custom trims and gorgeous flooring. The homes are very well taken care of with wonderful landscaping and beautiful detail work.

Not only are these homes gorgeous but they are also rich in history. Franklin sits in the middle of what was a battle ground in the 1800’s. These homes in Franklin played a role in the battle. For example, Carnton Plantation was the home of the famed, ‘Widow of The South.’ (Read the book. Its really great) Franklin homes are filled with character and charm. There are some new residential developments being built in Franklin that I think will be huge successes in continuing the tradition of excellence as well as bringing a younger crowd into the area.

The first of these is a development of townhomes directly off Main Street. I believe they are called 11th and Main. These Townhomes are not your average townshomes. Covering up to 2700 square feet, these showpieces are filled with gorgeous hardwood flooring, insane crown moldings and top of the line appliances. Each room posseses its own character and details. When most builders build townhomes they do not feel it necessary to go the extra mile as far as details go. The builder of the townhomes I speak of definitely went the extra mile. The woodwork in these homes is exquisite. The shelving is encased with awesome detail work and moldings. Some units have a private brick enclosed courtyard that is perfect for a wall fountain and outdoor dining table. The owners are going to love the kitchens, with their granite counters and top of the line cabinets. I highly recommend you check these out. (I should also mention the great price. They are priced to sell!)

Another awesome development for the younger crowd in Franklin is the new Jamison Station. Sitting directly across the street from the Factory, Jamison Station possesses features that will make the owner feel they are really living in New York. As you enter the unit you will see a large living space and a half bath. Hop on your own elevator and go up one floor to the kitchen and eating space, as well as living space. The kitchen is very open, which will show off you Viking appliances. You be surrounded by modern walls and lighting fixtures. The floor is a sleek hardwood. To go to the bedrooms you go up again, to the third floor. The rooms are on the smaller side. (which is to be expected in a loft setting) However, the master bath is tremendous. Slate flooring and a huge shower add a New York feel to the bathroom. These units are very clean-lined and modern. Each unit has its own large balcony enclosed in brick walls. The fixtures are very modern and complete that loft feeling. Be ready to sell some of you furniture to fit in this loft style space. However, with the character and swank New York feel I know you would not miss it.

As a whole I am thrilled Franklin is starting to bring in younger crowds. I think it is needed to have modern and edgy living spaces to do that. However, I am hoping that each new development takes notice of how high the bar has been set by the ones I speak of.










Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com











Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees

Custom Builders can help those on ANY budget!

There are a lot of people who tend to steer clear of building a new home. I am not just talking about walking into a model home and picking out 3 or 4 options and having a new home in 3-4 months. I am referring to sitting down with a custom builder and having him build the house of your dreams.

There are many reasons why people tend to stay away from this option.

1) Time. Custom homes can take anywhere from 6 months to two years. This of course depends on the budget and how often the wife changes the cabinets and wall colors :)

2) Effort. This task is far above and beyond the typical walk-through a model home and picking out 1 of 4 tile options. This is a start from scratch job that requires figuring out floor plans, the land to build it on, and THEN all the paint, brick, roof, and tile colors. This is not a one hour meeting!

3) Money. Generally to do a true custom home takes more dollars per square foot than most "cookie cutter" homes because...well...they're cookie cutter.

I have recently been working with a home builder here in Nashville that can debunk all of those myths. He even pays a Real Estate agent their commission who brings him buyers. He believes that having a Realtor will help the process run smoother and is well worth his dime.

I have seen his work and he is just about impeccable. He builds anything from a 1200 sf barn in Liepers Fork to a multi million dollar estate in Franklin. As far as price goes, he can stay within your budget! Clients meet with him with their max budget for land and everything. He then tells them everything he CAN do within that price range.

The Effort is taken on by the builder. Sure, you can go out there everyday while it is under construction but he takes on all the work and headache. This of course is where the agent comes into play. We have a reputation for taking bullets for our clients:)

The time it takes is generally 6 months! I know this is about 2 months longer than building a spec home BUT instead of spec you get your DREAM HOME!!

Don't forget to count out the custom builders for your clients! This could be the best decision they make!



Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com











Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Google or it’s employees.

The Levels of being an agent

A while back I wrote a blog about "How I wish Real Estate was more like brain surgery". I know that may sound a bit drastic but the point I was trying to make was that there were so many people out there that have their Real Estate license. There is always a potential client that says something to the effect of "My uncle has his license and I am going to use him to sell my house". Generally this same friend or family member works full time doing something else. You add all these people up and they are only making a couple transactions a year but as a whole they are taking away 1,000's of potential clients from those of us that have made a career out of it.

Going back to my previous blog, it's not like you would say "My uncle is going to do surgery on me this time" "He took some medical classes in college". Again... a bit drastic but there are so many people out there that have someone that they know either representing them as a buyer or trying to sell their home. The sad thing is that most of these people don't really know the difference between the guy who took a few classes in college and the guy who has spent the past 15 years of his life studying and practicing medicine.

This is so frustrating to watch but I see it often. In fact, I currently have a "referral" from someone who was a friend of a friend. Long story short...I am now their Realtor. My lender tried to pass on a lead to me a while back. I called her but she decided to go with a family friend. Long story short, my lender told me that this was the worst transaction he has EVER had to deal with. Everything inside of him wants to make the "I told you so" phone call.

Back to the "LEVELS". This would allow the general public to know what level of knowledge and level professionalism they are dealing with, even if it IS a family member. I am not sure exactly how I would break things down but those of us that have full time jobs and happen to have taken the state exam should be on level one (at the bottom). I also think there should be a "rookie" year where the agent is working under a higher level agent for that time period. Higher levels should be based on the knowledge of contracts and state laws. I even think Realtors should be ranked on how a listing is done. Knowledge of the surrounding area which includes pricing is crucial. Your shiny new sign doesn't cut it.

I will be the first to admit that I am inferior to others... especially within my office! Our office is full of seasoned agents who have been in the business for 15 + years. These are the people that I go to for answers and advice. The point I am trying to make is that there are those of us that LOVE Real Estate and have given it their 60hrs a week ( which includes constant and continual education, extensive knowledge of the market and city, and TIME ) and then there are those that hold a license. Beware of the "Level 1" agents!!

Search the NASHVILLE MLS


Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com









Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Google or it’s employees.

Amazing Windstone Brentwood TN

Oooh-aahhh



It is no secret that as you drive around Williamson County, in Tennessee, you are going to pass countless neighborhoods that are among some of the most beautiful you have ever seen. The terrain is soft and rolling and the homes are, well…incredible. There are some areas that are so spectacular you really have to see it to believe it. That being said, there are some that, even among its contenders, stand out among the rest. For example, there is Westhaven. Westhaven is situated west of Franklin in the hills of Williamson County. The master planned community is know throughout Nashville as one of the best. Driving through this scenic neighborhood you truly feel as though you are on a movie set or the famed Wisteria Lane. (assuming you have seen Desperate Housewives) The homes are built perfectly and the Families flock in droves to live in this desirable area.

I have recently discovered a newer neighborhood in Williamson County that literally blew me away. Set in incredible tree filled hills in the heart of Brentwood sits Windstone. Windstone’s streets wind through rolling terrain in a tree lined valley that gives a secluded feel. As you enter the development you are greeted with a winding drive lined with incredible landscaping and pond housing swans. (yes…you read swans)

The heavy black wrought iron and stone gates open and you are transported into a hidden jewel. Though this neighborhood is smack in the middle of Brentwood, when those gates open you truly feel that you are entering your own treasure that no one else knows about. The first homes you pass are the largest in the development. When I say large I mean L-A-R-G-E!!! These castles are truly perfect. With their use of texture and color scheme these homes look as though they could only work in this setting. Each possesses a personality of their own. I have been in these dream homes. Let me just say…unreal. It is so nice to walk through a home that the builder did not stop until it was perfect. The materials are top of the line. The crown moldings guide you through room by room, each with its own feature. The great room features a lodge feel with its stone mantle and exposed beams. You just have to see it to understand the perfection of these homes.

As you travel through the rest of the development you are constantly in awe of its beauty and flow. The development features townhomes and estate homes as well as mid-range homes.

I have driven through the development countless times and each time I am in amazement. I could speak about Windstone for five more pages. I urge anyone in Nashville to check this one out. Heck, if you are breathing check this one out. I know that if I have any buyers looking in the upper price range this will be the first place I take them. However, it would be smarter to make it the last because once they see it the standard is set very high.



Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams

9175 Carothers Ave, Suite 110

615-778-1818

615-480-5770

sstrickhausen@gmail.com

NASHVILLE MLS SEARCH





Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Google or it’s employees.

Should Realtors have staging knowledge?

Hold Up…Lets Just Think For a Second!

I recently went to work with a client that needed help getting their home ready to sell. It had been on the market for several weeks with no offers and no interest from buyers. The only remarks were not in their favor. After this had gone on for several weeks they gave me a call to come give them some pointers. I knew there was going to be many issues to be addressed because I had seen their home before, however I REALLY underestimated this one!!!

The first thing that greeted me as I walked in the door was a huge pile of shoes in the foyer. They prefer guests to remove their shoes and leave them there while in the home. I asked them if these shoes were always there. To my amazement they told me yes. WHAT? They were under the impression that it would be forgivable by buyers because it was the best place to put them. Here’s a thought…how about the CLOSET??
I proceeded with the couple to the, well…I guess it was the family room. I could not tell what it was because there was a baby bassinet, television on the floor, and one couch. No pictures. No mirrors. No rugs. Nothing. Each room of the house was empty, other than one or two things. Chalk drawings on the walls were everywhere, along with toy chests and stained carpets.
I quickly realized I was about to have to break the news that they needed serious help. We went room by room and gave each one a purpose. We added pictures and rugs to living areas and transformed an open room into the ‘Sun Room.’
The part of this that amazed me the most was that they were not selling the home themselves. THEY HAD AN AGENT !! When I asked them if the agent had addressed any of these issues they told me that it had not been mentioned. What?
I was shocked to hear this because it seemed as though the agent should tell them these things needed to be addressed to sell the house.
The thing is that it is not the house that left an impression on me. What I remember the most is the Agent they were working with. The experience gave me insight to how that agent conducts business. I saw first hand what that agent considers to be good enough. In my opinion, every time you tour a home listed with an agent that home somewhat represents that agent. I will remember that the agent I have spoken of did not care enough to be honest with the seller. They did not want to put in the extra work to help them. To them it was just another listing that they would add to their resume. The agent owed that family more than they were given.
To this day I remember that because I want my fellow agents to leave any listing I have knowing that I am working for the seller to the best of my ability. I want them to see, first hand, my standards. This means I have to be honest and not afraid to put in extra work to make sure their home is seen as a great product. Don’t we owe them that? In the case of the family I have spoken of it would not have been that hard to tell the seller it might be a good idea to move the pile of shoes out of the foyer. Or, maybe spend ten minutes to wipe the chalk off the walls. Yes, it is the sellers job to keep the house clean and ready. However, sometimes they need the honest input from the agent they are paying to guide them along the way.





Weston Blankenship, Home Stager and Designer for
Stephen Strickhausen
Keller Williams
9175 Caroters Parkway
Suite 110 Franklin, TN
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com
615-480-5770
615-778-8898













Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Google or it’s employees.

First time tax credit...what if they don't extend it?

The longer I am in the Real Estate game the more I hear the phrase "what if?".

I think this phrase can be very useful. For example, "What our financing doesn't go through?" "What if the inspections come back and we don't want to deal with the headache of fixing all the problems?". These are all "what ifs" that can save a lot of heartache in the future. I am a big supporter of that phrase and practice it myself with many situations in life. That phrase can save the day!!

On the flip side I have seen that phrase just KILL DEALS and opportunities. Months ago I heard that phrase in reference to mortgage rates... "What if the rates drop lower than 4%?" That was a BIG what if considering that we were staring down historical lows in the face! My question was "What if they go back up tomorrow?". Of course I liked the fact that they were that low BUT it was bound to go up.

Those SAME CLIENTS are now asking the question "What if the government extends the First Time Home Buyers Credit?". My question to them...again, "WHAT IF THEY DON'T?????". I am not a pessimist by any stretch of the imagination. I am also not the one to say "I told you so". I wish I was because now is the time to say "I told you so" along with "What if you had bought 2 months ago?". You are still buying...just at a full point higher than you would have. Once January comes around we sure might see an extension of the tax credit....but "WHAT IF WE DON'T?"





Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 CAROTHERS PKY SUITE 110

Franklin TN

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com





Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

Nashville FSBO vs. Listing Agent

I live in an area in Nashville TN where there are A LOT of homes for sale. In fact, there is a neighborhood called "Lenox Village" that has close to 60 homes on the market!! Out of the 60 homes that are listed many of them are "For Sale By Owner". I PITY the FSBO that thinks they have an edge over an aggressive listing agent!! (In the best Mr. T voice I can muster up)

Let's talk about exposure. I know that some FSBO's get smart and figure out a way for their home to be listed in the MLS... CONGRATS! For the rest of you, aside from the occasional drive-by who else is going to see your home? What about the family in Florida who needs to move to Nashville because of a job change? Are they going to see your home? NO! They are going to call an agent who in turn is going to look at his/her favorite database....THE MLS.

The #1 reason why someone would chose not to use a listing agent is to save money. That of course is a great thing to do especially in this economy. Let's look at some interesting facts;

1) Homes listed with a Realtor sell in half the time of those who are trying to sell on your own. There are many reasons for this but I will cover the basics. Staging (a good Realtor will tell you what needs to be done to the home in order for it to be ready to sell. Green walls, clusters of candles, and 6 cats aren't appealing to every person walking through the home....take some advice.) Marketing ( If you think the MLS is the ONLY place to have a home listed then you are sadly mistaken. How many people are using things like Facebook, Myspace, Craigslist, Twitter, ACTIVE RAIN, and simply Googling areas? The answer....MILIONS.) Pricing (I am sorry but a home that was bought 2-3 years ago is probably not worth $20,000 more in 2009. Ask an agent what your home is worth...not what you THINK it's worth. This may prompt a decision to RENT as opposed to sell....for now.)

2) FSBO's sell on average 15% less than those that are listed with agents. Let us start with negotiations. A GREAT listing agent knows what you need and knows how to get it. Some of us are masters of negotiations. Here is where the fun begins....

Please keep up. Let's say that you have a mortgage of $1,500 a month and you "need" to get out but don't want to pay a listing agent to sell your home. I am going to stay conservative here for arguments sake but realize it could be much worse. Also, (for those that have a home in the MLS) let's say that you are only saving 3% as opposed to 6% because the person that brought you your buyer is a Realtor (which will require his/her 3%). On a $250,000 home your goal is to save yourself $7,500 by not paying a listing agent. That is the number we are working with... with me so far?

Again, on average, a home listed with an agent is likely to sell in half the time of a FSBO. In Nashville, let's say that on average the listing agent will have a $250,000 home on the market for 3 months and then it sells. According to stats (in this situation) a For Sale By Owner will have their home on the market for 6 months before it sells. On a $1,500 note you are now saving $3,000 by not using an agent ($1,500 a month for 3 months is $4,500. $7,500 - $4,500 = $3,000).

So now the number we are working with is $3,000. Let's refer back to paragraph 5... "FSBO's sell on average 15% less than those that are listed with agents". Again, for arguments sake I will keep that percentage low. Let's say that an agent can get only 1.5% more for a house than what a FSBO can. On a $250,000 home that is over $3,500. In this scenario the For Sale By Owner is now saving $500. I wanted to keep my numbers low for my next point.

Now, if it is going to cost someone the SAME amount of money to list it themselves as opposed to using an agent why wouldn't they?? Aside from the most important thing (price), there are MANY things to take into account. Inspections, appraisals, title, negotiations, open houses, marketing, HOLDING DEALS TOGETHER, all these things are the jobs of an agent. Why wouldn't a family of 4 with school, work, church, soccer, etc etc etc NOT want to hire a listing agent? According to the numbers....I have no clue.



Stephen Strickhausen
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
9175 Carothers Pky Suite 110
615-778-1818
Sstrickhausen@gmail.com
http://www.Sstrickhausen.com





Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Google or it’s employees.